Spanish nurse tested positive for Ebola virus: health minister

MADRID, Oct. 6 (Xinhua/Sun) -- A Spanish nursing auxiliary who treated a man infected with the Ebola virus in Madrid has tested positive for the virus herself, confirmed Spanish Health Authorities on Monday.

The nurse, who is receiving treatment in the Alcorcon Hospital just outside of the Spanish capital, was part of the team who treated Spanish missionary Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died on September 25 in the Carlos III hospital in the north of Madrid.

The nurse was admitted to the Alcorcon hospital on Monday morning with possible symptoms of Ebola (fever), which she had experienced since September 30. It was also confirmed at the conference that the patient had been in contact with Viejo on two occasions at Carlos III and had been on holiday since his death.

She was put into isolation and submitted to the appropriate tests which confirm her infection with the virus.

According to the relevant protocols all of those involved in looking after the two Ebola patients who have been treated in Spain have to take their temperature twice a day for a period of 21 days.

Spanish Health Minister Ana Mato gave a press conference on Monday evening in which she said Spaniards "can be certain that we are taking measures to ensure the best treatment for the person infected, as well as the safety of those looking after her and all Spanish citizens."

"We will put all measures at the Health Authorities' to deal with this problem," said Mato, who added she wanted to "send a message of calm to all citizens of this country, we have magnificent professionals to deal with this illness."

Meanwhile health service unions, who had warned that Carlos III was unsuitable for the treatment of patients with a disease such as Ebola, have asked for the resignation of Rafael Perez Santamaria, the Director of the La Paz-Carlos III hospital.